With over 20 years of experience, Stephen Bilkis and his team at the Law Offices of Stephen Bilkis & Associates are committed to giving their clients quality legal advice as they make decisions relate to their estates. We represent beneficiaries, administrators, executors, trustees, and other individuals and entities in estate and probate matters, including matters related to probate and estate administration, will contests, actions for breach of fiduciary duties, and estate accountings. We also help clients with financial and personal matters associated with aging. As an experienced New York estate lawyer, Mr. Bilkis proudly delivers top quality service to his clients through effective problem-solving.
Estate litigationWhen estate disputes develop, we work diligently to resolve them without the need for litigation. However, in certain instances it is unavoidable. At the Law Offices of Stephen Bilkis & Associates we can provide extensive litigation support in order to assist you in resolving costly disputes in a quick and efficient manner. Our estates practice extends to representing clients in disputes related to contested powers of attorney, fraudulent transfers, real estate partition actions, disagreements among beneficiaries and heirs, spousal right of election, kinship proceedings, trust reformation, contested estate accountings, breach of fiduciary duties, guardianship proceedings, and all related matters.
Probate administrationOftentimes when a person is appointed executor or administrator of an estate, he or she has very little prior experience and may be unfamiliar with the legal requirements of the job. If you have been named as executor, administrator or personal representative of the estate of a loved one, the New York estate lawyers at the Law Offices of Stephen Bilkis & Associates will help you satisfy the requirements of the probate court and successfully settle the estate. This includes helping with a variety of required tasks such as preparing and filing all the necessary documents to initiate the probate proceeding, preparing and filing any responses required by the Surrogate’s Court, helping prepare and filing required accountings, making sure that all estate debts are paid and tax obligations are satisfied, and overseeing the orderly distribution of assets according to the terms of the will or intestacy rules.
Will contestsA will contest is a specific type of estate litigation that occurs when an interested party challenges the validity of a will based on undue influence, improper execution, or lack of testamentary capacity. When it comes to a will contest, we investigate the allegations, locate witnesses, and gather other evidence needed to make sure our client’s interests are properly represented.
Estate planningAt the Law Offices of Stephen Bilkis & Associates, we have the skill and experience to create a will that memorializes your wishes for your estate once you pass away. However, we are here to do more than that. We understand that estate planning is more than writing a will. It is creating an overall plan that may include a variety of documents. After listening to your wishing and understanding your financial picture, we will help ensure that your property is protected, your loved ones are cared for, and that your interests are protected as you age.
Elder lawElder law is an aspect of estate law that focuses primarily on the needs of families and individuals as they age. Issues of aging include senior housing and long-term care planning, asset protection, guardianships and health care documents, and Medicare and Medicaid.
TrustsAt the Law Offices of Stephen Bilkis & Associates, we assist clients with a wide range of estate planning services, including drafting trusts. There are many different types of trusts designed for different purposes. When creating a trust, it is critical to understand trust law so that you trust will function in the way you need it to. Some of the types of trust we can create include living trusts, revocable and irrevocable trusts, asset protection trusts, charitable remainder trusts, supplemental needs trusts, and testamentary trusts.
The New York estate attorneys at the Law Offices of Stephen Bilkis & Associates provide personal service to their clients. We get to know our clients and the issues that matter most to them. We represent clients in estate matters throughout Nassau County, Manhattan, Suffolk County, Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, Long Island, Staten Island, and Westchester County. Call us at 800.696.9529 or contact us online for a FREE consultation.